Iran seeks to become a self-sufficient wheat producer

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In a bid to attain self-sufficiency in wheat production, the government of Iran hopes to implement a new project that would raise local wheat output. The country’s production of the commodity is expected to increase from 10.8 million tons to 16.9 million tons once the project is realized, reported IRNA.

According to Minister of Agriculture, Mohammad-Reza Eskandari, the new project would bring the country's wheat output to approximately 11.7 million tons in its first operational year, a figure showing at least one million ton rise compared to that of last year.

According to agricultural experts, Iran’s wheat production has fallen far below its potential levels. As a result, the country must purchase massive quantities of foreign wheat to satisfy its growing population. Iran's domestic wheat consumption now stands at about 11 million tons a year of which 5.6 million tons is imported.

Prior to the 1979 revolution, wheat output stood at seven million tons per year. Since then the nation’s population has nearly doubled. Wheat production, however, does not reflect this increase. Poor agricultural policies and wasted resources are the main contributors to the low output. Many farmers continue to cultivate their fields using traditional means of farming, instead of taking advantage of modern agricultural advances. — (menareport.com)